The first fully electric auto racing championship will soon get a green flag. Though similar to Formula 1 or IndyCar, Formula E features high-speed electric cars that can go 0 to 62 mph in just three seconds.

"We want to change the perception of people about electric cars. People still think of electric cars as slow, as non-cool," said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, on CNBC. "We want to change that completely, show these cars racing and in action."

Source: Fia Formula-E

Formula E race car

The cars are fast, too, with maximum speeds of about 150 mph. Noted auto makers McLaren, Williams and Renault have designed and built Formula E cars.

The first race will take place in Bejing in September, followed by races in a total of 10 cities around the world, including Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro and London.

Formula E is in talks to bring a race to New York, too, Agag told "Squawk on the Street." The Federation International de I'Automobile, the governing body of motor sports worldwide, backs the series.

"He's passionate about electric cars and about the environment, and this championship, Formula E, intends to change for good the environment in our cities," Agag said of DiCaprio's involvement. "With more electric cars, we will have cleaner air, less pollution. That's something that appealed to Leonardo DiCaprio and to other partners."

A self-described "petrol head," Agag said Formula E is not competing against gas-fueled car races. Rather, he wants the electric championship series to get people talking about electric cars and advance the technology.

Formula E is attracting some of the biggest drivers in auto racing, too, Agag said. Drivers are coming to Formula E from IndyCar or Formula 1 because it provides an opportunity to race around the world in cars with the latest technologies, he said.